Turtle Dives – the latest from Medasset  (1987 Laureate)

Dear Readers,        

 
As you may already be aware, the United Nations established 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity (IYB).  Biodiversity embraces the variety of genes, species and ecosystems that constitute life on Earth.  Humanity itself is a part of biodiversity, and our existence depends on this life support system.  Our planet is not only habitable but beautiful because of Biodiversity.  

As the Year has got on it’s way, each and everyone of us has been given the perfect opportunity to help conserve the myriad forms of life on our planet by spreading the word and by engaging others in protecting our environment.

MEDASSET is committed to help slow down the rate of marine biodiversity loss around the Mediterranean so that sea turtles and their ecosystems will be conserved for future generations.  MEDASSET is dedicated to help reduce the rate of marine biodiversity loss around the Mediterranean so that sea turtles and their ecosystems will be conserved for future generations.  As a partner to the IYB, we are committed to promoting the Year through our activities and communicate it to the world.  In 2010, we will maintain an active role in the protection of sea turtles and their Mediterranean habitats through scientific research, environmental education, political lobbying and public awareness campaigns.  Assessments of the pressures threatening nesting beaches will continue and our scientific research project in Albania will be ongoing in 2010, aiming to promote the protection of sea turtles in a country consider ed to have the highest rate of biodiversity loss in Europe.
 



Lily Venizelos
President



Greece: Zakynthos National Marine Park
A Never Ending Problem...

Sadly, as the nesting season came to a close, some negative records were set in 2009:
•    Nest numbers (829) during 2009 represent the lowest documented in 25 years (ARCHELON) while, the number of dead turtles (34) has been the highest ever recorded in one nesting season, creating much concern about the need for stricter regulation and monitoring of sea activities. Fishing and collision with vessels seem to be the major causes. Speeding boats still enter the NMPZ protected Marine Zone and illegal fishing is an ongoing issue.
•    Harassment of the turtles by ‘Sea Turtle Spotting Boats’ and privately rented vessels was recurrent throughout the summer.
•    Three fire outbreaks, documented as arson by the Fire Brigade on the July 26th 2009 in Daphne, destroyed 250,000 sq. meters of Mediterranean maquis vegetation surrounding this important nesting beach.
•    Sekania remains a feeding haven for sea gulls preying on hatchlings, as the saturated and badly managed Waste Disposal Site (WDS) continues to operate without a license above the beach and within the ZNMP. The wall supporting the WDS is on the verge of collapsing and on numerous occasions throughout 2009 and 2010 leachate has leaked from the WDS polluting the surrounding area and the sea of Laganas Bay.
•    Following national elections in October 2009 and the establishment of the new Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Climate Change, a new President of the ZNMP Management Agency was appointed: Dr. Koutsoubas, a Professor of Oceanography and Marine Biology at the Marine Sciences Department of the Aegean University.

ZNMP, August 2009.  Turtle spotting: Pedaloes, bathers and boats with their engines running surround a single turtle in blatant disregard of the 5-metre distance ZNMP rule. (©2009 H.King) ZNMP, July 2009.  Seagulls waiting to feast on hatchlings in Sekania beach. (©2009 Earth, Sea & Sky Ltd.)
 
 



The Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats
Celebrates and Discusses Sea Turtle Conservation


In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the signature of the Bern Convention, the 29th Meeting of the Contracting Parties was held on 23-26 November 2009 in Bern (Switzerland) away from its permanent seat at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg (France). Parties and Observers exchanged views on a number of Case Files and complaints on possible breaches of the Convention. For MEDASSET, 2009 marked the 22nd year of participation as a Permanent Observer. The following sea turtle conservation issues were discussed:

Akamas Peninsula (Cyprus): In July 2009 the government officially declared Akamas, a Site of Community Importance (SCI). The limited extent of the proposed area falls short of the 1997 Bern Convention Recommendation by not including the very important green turtle nesting beaches. So far, no proposal for “Specially Protected Area” (SPA) has been made and the ban on isolated building construction was withdrawn, thus allowing construction in all Akamas natural areas. With MEDASSET’S support, Terra Cypria convinced the Standing Committee to leave the Case File open for follow-up in 2010.
 
Kazanli (Turkey): Following 8 years of international campaigning and reporting to the Convention by MEDASSET, the Turkish Delegate confirmed that the construction of a waste neutralization facility is underway for the 1.5 million tons of highly toxic solid waste sitting on Kazanli's important green turtle nesting beach. He also confirmed that an Environmental Impact Assessment is being carried out for the neutralised waste storage site and that the entire process will take up to 10 years to complete at a cost of several million dollars. MEDASSET made sure that the issue will be followed up by the Convention in 2010.
 
Fethiye (Turkey): In August 2009, MEDASSET submitted a complaint to the Secretariat of the Convention, concerning uncontrolled touristic development at the Specially Protected loggerhead nesting beaches of Fethiye. As a result, nesting at Fethiye has dropped dramatically from 191 nests in 1995, to 58 in 2004. A short film was shown to the Delegates, produced in Sept. 2009 for MEDASSET by Richard Brock, the BBC natural history film producer for 35 years, featuring the threats to Fethiye nesting beaches. MEDASSET’s complaint will be discussed at the next meeting of the Convention in November 2010.
 
Episkopi (Cyprus): An issue raised by the local group “Episkopi TurtleWatch”, concerning the deliberate killing of sea turtles in the British Sovereign Base (SBA) of Cyprus and the refusal of the current Chief Officer to commit to the introduction of a fishing exclusion area was brought to the attention of the Meeting by MEDASSET and Terra Cypria. The submission of a Complaint to the Convention’s Secretariat is being considered by the NGOs, should there be no marked progress by the SBA before March 2010.
 

MEDASSET's Annual Update Reports

- Update Report on Marine Turtle Conservation in Zakynthos (Laganas Bay), Greece, 2009” available here
- Report on Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) Conservation Monitoring in Kazanli, Turkey 2009” available here.
- 13th Update Report and Review of Nature Conservation Measures in Patara SPA, Turkey, 2009” available here.



Sea Turtle Research in Albania Patok: An Important Habitat

During the second year of the project “Monitoring and Conservation of Important Sea Turtle Feeding Grounds in the Patok Area of Albania, 2008-2010”, 137 sea turtles were tagged and released in collaboration with the local fishing community.  A remarkable number of 245 turtles have been tagged since 2008 at Patok, providing evidence that this is a significant foraging area for loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtles travelling through the Mediterranean.

The population structure of turtles captured as bycatch in local “stavnike” fish-traps was also investigated. Sixty six adult and adolescent males have been tagged at Patok, indicating that males may be using the area both as a developmental and foraging habitat. “This discovery has increased importance due to our presently limited understanding of the distribution and marine ecology of male sea turtles and also because of the threatened impact of global climate change, which may force embryonic sex-ratios of turtles towards female-dominance” says Dr. Michael White, Project Lead Researcher. Moreover, 8.6% of the turtles were found for the second time at Patok, suggesting that Alban ia may also form part of their migratory route.  
 

Training students

Fulfilling its main goal for 2009 to focus on capacity building, the project trained seven local university students as Research Assistants, thus providing the capacity to the next generation of Albanian scientists to monitor the sea turtle population of their coast. The project also offered a unique opportunity to over 70 Albanian university students to attend workshops at Patok during the summer.
 
Additional activities in 2009 included a waste pollution survey in the Patok area and the analysis of DNA samples collected during fieldwork in collaboration with Adnan Menderes University (Turkey). Throughout the project locals and tourists are informed about the sea turtles’ plight while awareness is also raised through local and national media.
 
Unveiling sea turtle migratory patterns, their feeding areas and the threats they face, is fundamental for designing conservation strategies. The long-term aim of this project is for the Patok area to be recognised as a nationally and regionally important foraging habitat for sea turtles in the Mediterranean and that these endangered species are fully protected under Albanian national law.

The 2009 Project Report with detailed information on the project activities and research results is available here
 
In 2010, launched by the UN as International Year of Biodiversity, the project team will focus on initiating the legislative process, in order to conserve Albania’s fragile biodiversity and protect the endangered sea turtles visiting its shores.
 
This project is developed by MEDASSET in collaboration with the Albanian Herpetofauna Society and the University of Tirana, with the endorsement of the Albanian Ministry of Environment. Co-funding for 2009 was granted by the Global Environmental Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF/SGP), the United Nations Environment Programme-Mediterranean Action Plan (UNEP/MAP), the Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas (RAC/SPA) of UNEP/MAP and the British Chelonia Group. For more information on MEDASSET's research in Albania click  here


The "Life Amphibious" experiment

Australian marine biologist Lloyd Godson completed the first phase of the underwater expedition “Life Amphibious” while pedaling Omer 6, the fastest human-powered submarine of its kind, from Kioni to Vathy in Ithaca. While on dry land, Lloyd and his team were greeted by kids and adults running to see the submarine.  MEDASSET is a partner of the expedition from the beginning and aided the expedition team to raise awareness within the local society about the effects of small garbage in the marine environment. Lloyd is expected to complete the second phase of the “Life Amphibious” in the summer of 2010: 100 nautical miles (185 kilometers) from Corfu to Ithaca using Omer 7, th e latest generation of two-seater non-propeller submarine.  He just needs to find a co-pilot crazy enough to join him.  For more information about the expedition please visit www.lifeamphibious.com.



Events & Activities
Fundraising Gala by the Sea
On June 24th 2009, MEDASSET “Friends” and supporters came together at the Hellenic Yacht Club in Piraeus, outside Athens, to raise funds for the endangered sea turtles of the Mediterranean. The buffet dinner Gala included a swim suit and summer costume jewellery fashion show, live music and a raffle contest with outstanding prizes!  



 
New Year's Tea Party Special!
On February 3rd 2010, we held our annual Ladies only fundraiser at the Athens Plaza Hotel to support our sea turtle projects in the Mediterranean. The late afternoon party included a glamorous fashion and jewellery show, live music, the traditional cutting of the “Pita cake” and raffle contest. We would like to thank the evening's main supporters Mr. and Mrs. Vardinogiannis The event was entirely sponsored by Vardis Vardinogiannis, as well as all individual and corporate sponsors who contributed in making the evening a great success.
Stop press- Stop press- Stop press
MEDASSET friend Alan Peckolick was commissioned to design the official 2010 WED (World Environment Day) poster. A true New Yorker, Alan has enjoyed a 35 year career as an internationally recognized graphic designer and his work has earned him over 500 design awards worldwide. Alan has also offered to design our new logo...coming soon! www.alanpeckolick.com


Sponsors & Supporters
July 2009-February 2010  
UNEP/MAP
RAC/SPA (UNEP/MAP)
British Chelonia Group (BCG)
Irene Daifas & Stavros Daifas Marine Enterprises
Mr and Ms Vardis Vardinogiannis
Genzyme Corporation
Ilion Lines S.A.
Karenta S.A.
G.C. Economou & Associates
A.G. Leventis Foundation
L. Papaphilippou & Co (Cyprus)
ELLANIUS S.A.
Google Maramenos & Pateras  Jewelers
Olympic Air
Aegean Airlines
Anna Maria Mazaraki  Jewelry
Richard Brock Productions (UK)
Alan Peckolick (USA)
Marijke Janssens designs   (Belgium)
Loud  & Clear Entertainment
Exelixis Diagnostics S.A.
17 supporters who offered raffle  items
MEDASSET is a recipient of a Google Grants award. The Google Grants Programme supports organizations sharing Google's philosophy of community service to help the world in areas such as science and technology, education, global public health, the environment, youth advocacy, and the arts.

 

Issue No.7    -      February 2010                  International Year of Biodiversity <#1> Greece: Zakynthos National Marine Park  <#2> The Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats <#3> Sea Turtle Research in Albania <#4> The "Life Amphibious" experiment <#5> Events & Activities <#7> Sponsors & Supporters <#10>



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A Charm for Safe Journeys

For 2010, Michael Clements designed an unusual charm in memory of MEDASSET’s very special and loved volunteer, Phillip Slim.  The charm’s tribal design represents prosperity, strength, determination, good health and safe journey over water.

 Handcrafted in 925°silver and generously donated by one of Greece’s prestigious jewellers “Maramenos & Pateras”,it comes complete with cordon in a handsome presentation bag and is available for a donation of &euro35/31£.

 You can order it through our secure online shop at: www.medasset.org call or fax your order to: +30 210 3613572, e-mail us at medasset@medasset.org
or write to MEDASSET, Licavitou 1C, 10672, Athens, Greece.
 
This is the thirteenth consecutive year that MEDASSET teams up with a Greek signature jeweller to create a sea turtle charm; the entire collection can be seen on our online gift shop. Proceeds will support our environmental public awareness and capacity buidling programmes in the Mediterranean.



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Turtle Tracking

In order to further investigate the migration of these mystery travellers, the first satellite tracking programme of sea turtles in Albania was launched from Patok and three turtles (two males and one female) were fitted with transmitters on September 12th 2009.

“Shpresa” (Hope) has remained within the broader area of Patok until now, while “Guximtari” (Brave)  stayed within a 6km distance of his release site for 4½ months and has just  started travelling towards northern waters during February. “Patoku”, an international traveller from the start, has covered  640.97km and is now in Greek waters just off the island of Corfu, in the Ionian Sea.

ADOPT PATOKU,
 OUR VOYAGER TURTLE!
To support tracking
his migration, click here !

 Visit Turtle Tracking to view maps of the migration routes of "Shpresa", "Guximtari" and "Patoku" on maps.

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MEDASSET GREECE
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10672, Athens, Greece
 Tel:+30 210 3613572
 +30 210 3640389
 Fax: +30 3613572
 e: medasset@medasset.gr
www.medasset.gr

MEDASSET  UK
c/o  24 Park Towers
 2 Brick     Street,    London
 W1J 7DD, UK
 Tel/Fax: (020) 76290654
 e: medasset@medasset.org
www.medasset.org


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Editor: Liza Boura
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Founded in 1988, MEDASSET is an international not for profit environmental NGO registered as a charity and private company in the UK and as a Non Profit Organisation in Greece. MEDASSET plays an active role in the study and conservation of sea turtles and their habitats throughout the Mediterranean, through scientific research, environmental education, political lobbying and raising public awareness.The organisation has been a Partner to the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) of UNEP and a Permanent Observer-member of the Bern Convention at the Council of Europe since 1988.